2027 Best Value Industrial Design Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
[Industrial Design](/majors/visual-and-performing-arts/design-and-applied-arts/industrial-design/) programs reward a close look at where your money goes furthest. The best values balance affordable tuition against strong post-graduation earnings.
To produce this 2027 ranking, College Factual evaluated 15 schools on the balance of cost and outcomes for industrial design students.
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2027 Best Value Industrial Design Schools in the Middle Atlantic Region
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in industrial design, balancing cost against outcomes.
Best Value Industrial Design Schools
Cuny Laguardia Community College earned the #1 spot for value among industrial design schools in the Middle Atlantic Region. Cuny Laguardia Community College is a large public school located in the city of Long Island City. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $5,218, with out-of-state students paying around $8,098. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $8,858. Industrial Design graduates of Cuny Laguardia Community College earn a median of $13,554 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $8,858 median debt.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at Suny College At Buffalo earned it the #2 place for industrial design. Located in the city of Buffalo, Suny College At Buffalo is a moderately-sized public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $8,533, while out-of-state students pay about $19,653. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $25,257 in student loans. Industrial Design graduates of Suny College At Buffalo earn a median of $39,412 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $25,257 median debt. Roughly 73% of applicants are accepted.
Kean University came in at #3 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial design schools. Kean University is a large public school located in the suburb of Union. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,299, with out-of-state students paying around $22,446. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $26,713. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Kean University generally make around $35,673. That is a strong return on a $26,713 median debt. Kean University admits about 76% of applicants.
Montclair State University is a great value for students pursuing a degree in industrial design, landing the #4 spot this year. Set in the suburb of Montclair, Montclair State University is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,912, compared with $26,022 for out-of-state students. Students borrow a median of $26,000 to complete the industrial design program here. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $26,027. That is a strong return on a $26,000 median debt. The acceptance rate is 88%.
A rank of #5 makes New Jersey Institute Of Technology one of the best values for industrial design. Located in the city of Newark, New Jersey Institute Of Technology is a large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $19,974, while out-of-state students pay about $37,664. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $27,000. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $38,975. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 65% of applicants are accepted.
Community College Of Allegheny County placed #6 among the best values for industrial design. Community College Of Allegheny County is a large public school located in the city of Pittsburgh. Students from in state pay about $4,956 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay about $12,583. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $15,263 in student loans. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $47,420. That is a strong return on a $15,263 median debt.
Fashion Institute Of Technology landed the #7 spot for industrial design value this year. Fashion Institute Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of New York. Students from in state pay about $8,174 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $22,696. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $18,500 in student loans. Industrial Design graduates of Fashion Institute Of Technology earn a median of $20,692 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $18,500 median debt. The acceptance rate is 60%.
Pennsylvania College Of Technology placed #8 among the best values for industrial design. Pennsylvania College Of Technology is a moderately-sized public school located in the city of Williamsport. In-state tuition and fees average $17,940, compared with $25,680 for out-of-state students. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $45,572. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt.
Thomas Jefferson University earned the #9 position for value in industrial design this year. Located in the city of Philadelphia, Thomas Jefferson University is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $47,355. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Thomas Jefferson University generally make around $64,243. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 81% of applicants are accepted.
Rochester Institute Of Technology placed #10 among the best values for industrial design. Set in the suburb of Rochester, Rochester Institute Of Technology is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $59,210 in tuition and fees. Typical student debt for industrial design graduates is $27,000. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Rochester Institute Of Technology generally make around $34,709. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Rochester Institute Of Technology admits about 67% of applicants.
Drexel University ranked #11 on our 2027 list of the best value industrial design schools. Set in the city of Philadelphia, Drexel University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $62,412. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Industrial Design graduates of Drexel University earn a median of $67,556 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $27,000 median debt. Roughly 79% of applicants are accepted.
Syracuse University came in at #12 for value in industrial design this year. Set in the city of Syracuse, Syracuse University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $65,528 in tuition and fees. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $27,000 in student loans. Industrial Design graduates of Syracuse University earn a median of $46,181 early in their careers. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 46% of applicants are accepted.
Maryland Institute College Of Art landed the #13 spot for industrial design value this year. Maryland Institute College Of Art is a mid-sized private not-for-profit school located in the city of Baltimore. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $56,800. Students borrow a median of $27,000 to complete the industrial design program here. Soon after graduation, industrial design degree recipients from Maryland Institute College Of Art generally make around $48,637. Set against $27,000 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 77%.
Pratt Institute Main came in at #14 for value in industrial design this year. Set in the city of Brooklyn, Pratt Institute Main is a moderately-sized private not-for-profit institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $61,845. Industrial Design graduates carry a median of $19,000 in student loans. Industrial Design graduates of Pratt Institute Main earn a median of $40,880 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $19,000 median debt. Pratt Institute Main admits about 73% of applicants.
The New School placed #15 among the best values for industrial design. The New School is a large private not-for-profit school located in the city of New York. In-state tuition and fees average $58,730. Students borrow a median of $23,606 to complete the industrial design program here. Early-career industrial design graduates make about $36,279. Set against $23,606 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The New School admits about 64% of applicants.
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Notes and References
This list is compiled by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2027 edition. Schools are scored on the balance of cost (tuition and student debt) against student outcomes (post-graduation earnings) — a measure of return on investment, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 15 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 15 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
